Page 23 of Dad Bod Gorgon

“Let’s sit down before someone asks me to sign some part of their body I don’t want to touch,”Gideon grunts.

“I highly doubt anybody is going to ask—” I stop as I look around. There are some very intoxicated-looking ladies and gentlemen around us, their eyes eating Gideon up. “Okay, maybe you’re right.”

“It’s the snakes. You’d be surprised how many people ask to touch them,” Gideon says close to my ear. So close it makes me think about his secret trouser snake, the one these people would beg to touch if they knew about it. Not that they ever will because that secret is all mine, just like my gorgon.

“We need to plan your bachelorette party,” Alice says eagerly as Gideon and I sit at the table. “I thought we could go to Mighty Monster Dong strip club. Apparently, they have demons there with enormous?—”

“No,” I cut her off. That’s Alice. Bold as brass.My ride-or-die bestie. “Not happening.”

Alice pretends to pout. “Spoilsport.”

“Well, I have to say, considering you hate men, monsters, and humans, I’m glad I listened to you two months ago rather than let this one slip away,”I say, giving my friend a grateful smile.

Alice purses her lips and nods, never one to shy away from being proven right. “You’re welcome. Gideon is … special. One of a kind.”

Alice says it so quietly that I almost miss it. What’s that about? Is my friend softening toward the male species? Or does she think Gideon is that special? I mean, I know he is. He’s my gorgon and always will be.

I take his hand in mine and kiss it, linking my fingers with his and admiring my engagement ring. Today is the start of a new life. One I can’t wait to share with my fiancé. But I’ll take it one day at a time and savor it. From now on, I’m going to put as much living into each day with Gideon as possible. He makes me greedy, but that’s all right, too.

“I love you, Verity,” Gideon says, leaning in and tucking my hair behind my ear.

I shiver as his hot breath teases my sensitive skin, and I suddenly want to ask for my meal to go, along with my gorgon. He’s my favorite meal to take home.

I meet Gideon’s beautiful eyes and smile at him. I hold his gaze until I forget where I end and he begins. And I don’t turn to stone. I trust him with every part of me.

With a deep breath, I tilt my head to whisper, “I love you too, Gideon. Now and always.”

I have my gorgon. Nothing else matters.

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